The Canary Dave

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Morning all. It has been a hectic few days since the new roof was put on. The company were back the same day I reported a leak. I suspect they want their money. Until I am certain it is properly sealed up, there is no point going further with my new ceiling. The company will no doubt object, but I will retain some of the money now due until I am sure that no more water can get in. The cost of postage to the UK has become ridiculous, as I found out yesterday when I wanted some more stamps. It is very understandable that some friends have stopped sending cards there, giving a sum to charities where it will do more good. I may follow next year. Have a good day everyone. <ok>
 
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Morning all. An irate roofer at the door because he hasn't received any money at all, as it turns out his bank account is in Ireland, and my French bank would not allow me to make a transfer to another country. A helpful lady in the bank is very suspicious about what he is up to, as I am. A clear case of tax avoidance if ever there was one. He now has to provide paperwork for her to see, and nothing will happen until she receives it. I think she will enjoy some time investigating him, and meanwhile I still have my money.
 
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Morning all. Bright and dry, with little wind making it seem a bit warmer. My roofer was back yesterday afternoon with a considerable change of tone. As I couldn't send him money to Ireland, and he didn't want a cheque, he was in a spot of bother, and the text message from the bank to him had made the alarm bells ring. Would I give a cheque to his partner, who turned out to be his father? No problem as the father is a properly registered business who probably is running a straightforward operation. Roofer left with a cheque made out to his father, saying that none of this was my fault, nor his, it is the banks that are the real villains. Maybe a little sympathy for him there. Have a good day everyone. <ok>
 
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Just been reading an article about how the rich will be spending their Christmas this year. Off to a London hotel where a room for the night will cost you a minimum £1,000 plus. Some suites come in nearer to £100,000 a night. A six-course dinner could cost as much as your bed for the night, and at a £1,000 per head you will struggle to find a restaurant within a hotel that is not already fully booked.
I am not super rich, and when looking at hotels and restaurants seek to find decent accommodation with a well regarded restaurant attached. I found a gem just outside Calais a month ago. The room had everything you needed and was very comfortable, while there was an excellent restaurant that gave a four-course meal for €20.
Do you really need to spend silly amounts of money to be comfortable and eat well when away from home?
 
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oldfrenchhorn said:
Just been reading an article about how the rich will be spending their Christmas this year. Off to a London hotel where a room for the night will cost you a minimum £1,000 plus. Some suites come in nearer to £100,000 a night. A six-course dinner could cost as much as your bed for the night, and at a £1,000 per head you will struggle to find a restaurant within a hotel that is not already fully booked.
I am not super rich, and when looking at hotels and restaurants seek to find decent accommodation with a well regarded restaurant attached. I found a gem just outside Calais a month ago. The room had everything you needed and was very comfortable, while there was an excellent restaurant that gave a four-course meal for €20.
Do you really need to spend silly amounts of money to be comfortable and eat well when away from home?
Click to expand...

Of course I do, one must keep up ones standards
 
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Morning all. A cold, but bright start to the day, but now a mist has descended and it feels even colder. The commune has once again been handing out Christmas hampers to us oldies, while other places simply put on a meal. The hampers have a whole range of goodies inside that you probably wouldn't buy for yourself. Two bottles of wine, red and white, of a decent quality, and enough to make a decent meal if you need to. Things like this make you feel that you do belong here. Have a good day everyone. <ok>
 
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oldfrenchhorn said:
Not more money to Richard Branson. I know he is hard up, but I doubt he will notice your contribution, Duggie.
Click to expand...

I have been to the Maldives 3 times on all inclusive holidays and flown BA each time, the closest island was by the old fashioned sail boat from Mane, the middle distance was by speedboat and the furthest was by seaplane none of which were owned by Dickhead Branson

Anyone who has not been to the Maldives should go at least once before you die and if you can afford it go for a water bungalow the views are amazing and you can see baby reef sharks swimming around below you
 
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Morning all. Marginally less cold as it is plus 2°C rather than minus 2°C. No wind at all, so the turbines in the distance are all stationary. Our resident Dutch neighbours have headed north to spend Christmas and the New Year with their family, whilst the part-time English couple are back again, so numbers remain the same. My new ceiling works are progressing slowly, as working above your head all the time gives you a backache. Once I get a bit more done with some insulation in place, it will be worth putting the heating on, but until then clutching a hot coffee mug does help to warm the hands. Have a good day everyone. <ok>
 
B Day is finally here - Boiler Man arrived to install our new boiler this morning!!

After a couple of weeks of electric blankets, hot water bottles, constantly refilled mugs of tea/coffee/soup, and stand-up washes at the bathroom sink, we'll finally have hot water on tap again. I suspect (or hope) that when my wife and daughter arrive home from work this evening I'll still be enjoying a hot shower...

Good timing too, as the first of our three sons arrives home for Xmas tomorrow morning. At least he won't be tempted to turn around and go back south again in search of warmth...
 
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Morning all. The Christmas cards from France and England continue to arrive. One of Mme's friends always uses her card to update us on her travels. She certainly gets around, and each year says she might be passing, and will pop in to see us. So far it hasn't happened and probably not occur next year as she heads to Bordeaux. Hope that you are nice and warm again BB now you have come out of the shower. Have a good day everyone. <ok>
 
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Morning all. Intermittent rain, and it feels cold because of the damp. We decided to do our weekly shop yesterday in the hopes of avoiding the Christmas shoppers. As soon as we arrived, the large car park said the throngs were already there. The normally wide central aisle had been taken over by even more chocolate, wine, beer, oysters and smoked salmon or trout. This reduced the space for people and their trolleys, that when filled become even more uncontrollable than normal. Using one of the self scanners, we thought it would save some time, only to be selected for a random check, so everything already packed in bags had to come out, then put back in again. Today, and unusually for a Sunday, the store will be open all day, so I expect the mayhem to continue, but it is over for us. The wine rack is refilled, so some work, then football. Have a good day everyone. <ok>
 
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